Find the best prices for your flights:

- My roundtrip ticket costed P4,891.64

- You can get better prices if you book months in advance

Duration: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Yes! Upon arrival, foodtrip agad!

- After claiming your luggages, go the food stalls at the waiting area and ask where you can buy both delicacies

- Puto and baye-bate are delicacies of Manapla, a municipality near Cadiz City or Lakawon Island.

- It's no longer fresh compared to directly buying in Manapla but both still taste really good.

- Puto is P50 and baye-baye is P30

3 ways to get there:

1. 🚐 Van from Silay Airport

2. 🚗 Grab from Bacolod

3. 🛵 Tricycle From Bacolod

🎟️ Entrance fees:

Sample price ranges at their restaurant:

Spots to note:

The story behind The Ruins:

Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, a wealthy owner of a 440-hectare plantation in Talisay City, fell in love with and married Maria Braga, whom he met in Hong Kong.

During Maria’s 11th pregnancy, she slipped in the bathroom and began to bleed. They traveled by carriage to the nearest hospital, but it took two days to reach Silay.

Unfortunately, it was too late. Both Maria and the baby passed away.

In her memory, Don Mariano built a grand palace, dedicating it to Maria and their unborn child. Hence, The Ruins is often referred to as the Taj Mahal of Negros.

However, during World War II, the Americans burned the mansion to the ground to prevent the Japanese from using it as their headquarters.

The skeletal frame of the mansion remains intact to this day.

How to get here:

You can also book Grab from the Ruins to Manokan Country for P250 to P350

Order: Paa (P105), Garlic Rice (P38), and Coke Zero (P50)

I also tried Nena's Rose on Day 3 and Chicken Deli on Day 4.

Celebrities and politicians like Erwan Heusaff, Robi Domingo, Isko Moreno, Doc Willie Ong, and Mikey Bustos ate here.

Better if you ride the van before 12PM so you can catch the sunset at Poblacion Beach in Sipalay

Go to South Bus Terminal:

Option 1: GrabCar - P106

Option 2: Ride a jeep (Shopping Libertad) - P11 non-aircon and P15 aircon

- Bathroom and snack break in Kabankalan after 3 hours

- Duration: 4 hours and 30 minutes

- Note: It might take an hour of waiting time for the van to get full

- Fare: P350

Finding an accommodation that's both aesthetic and budget-friendly isn't always easy, but this place is an exception.

This bed and breakfast is located at the entrance of the city, near stores and Poblacion Beach.

It’s also conveniently beside the van terminal for trips from and to Bacolod.

Open 24 hours.

Breakfast meals are available for P100 and coffee for P20. So you won’t have to skip breakfast if you're starting your tour early to beat the crowd. They serve a variety of silog meals (corned beef, fish, tocino, spam, longganisa, and hotdog).

Wifi is available for digital nomads and there's a free water dispenser so bring your water bottle.

I booked a room for only P1,250 per night here:

Most karinderyas close at 8PM especially on weekdays

- Andok’s and 711 are 24 hours

- Dinner: Fried chicken rice meal with Pepsi (P120)

- Snacks and water (P75)

- Prepare your day tour essentials

- Ready your luggage for checkout before the tour

Checkout my travel essentials here:

- Check out from Angel's BNB

- Deposit luggages. Just bring your tour essentials

- Eat breakfast early and start the tour early to beat the crowd

- The BNB is 24 hours. Inform them that you want an early breakfast the night before.

This beach can be accessed without an entrance fee

The water is crystal clear and turquoise blue

Bugana Resort is also located here:

Hinatuan Enchanted River meets Mount Pinatubo Crater Lake

- Just look at how clear the water is!

- The water also reflects the sky like a glass when still.

- Tip: Avoid splashing the water or wait for it to settle so it won't appear muddy before taking a photo.

- This was an abandoned mining site that began operations in the 1950s.

- It was shut down due to its negative environmental impact. The Sipalay government is currently researching whether the pit can be used as a sustainable water reserve for the city.

Sipalay's City Hall is so clean and the garden is well maintain

Lagoons of Palawan + Chocolate Hills of Bohol = Tinagong Dagat

The spot in the photo above looks like the bridge at Kayangan Lake in Coron.

Chocolate Hills vibe

Entrance fees:

- P50 for adult

- P30 for kids

Beautiful view yet very affordable seafood restaurant by the river ⛵️

The restaurant is also located in the middle of a mangrove forest 🌳

Eat lunch with this relaxing view

I ordered the Shrimp Kebab for only P199 which includes 4 shrimps, 5 scallops, rice, vegetables, and ice tea. Very sulit! 🦐

Chill at their swing after lunch while watching the soothing water flowing directly to a beach

Often considered the highlight of a Sipalay trip

Fees:

- Entrance: P80

- Infinity Pool: P100

Enjoy the beautiful view! 😍

Note if you're bringing your own car:

- The road going in is a little bumpy

- But the locals there are working together to make it smoother

The entrance fee is only P50.

They have a 300-step view deck to witness the panoramic view of Tinagong Dagat and Poblacion Beach that will take you around 20 minutes to reach the top.

View of the resort

They also have cottages

The beach

The rooms

End the day with these 2 spots that are beside each other and can be accessed for free.

Imagine living in this city where the beach is just a few steps away from your home.

You can stroll and chill here after a stressful day at work.

- This is where you can find the "Wow! Sipalay!" sign.

- There are food stalls here that sell snacks and drinks.

- At night, there are BBQ stalls for dinners and live performances sometimes.

A beach in Sipalay with mini Chocolate Hills on the side.

- This non-touristy spot is so peaceful. Introverts will love it!

- A paradise you can access all to yourself on weekdays and for free!

There's also a beach front resort here:

You can also access this beach for free.

There's a beach resort here. I was also considering this when I was looking for an accommodation.

Special thanks to Dojie for being a nice guide and a great photographer!

The regular tour is only P1,500 without Bugana, Cansibit Pit, and Sugar Beach. Just add P1,000 to explore all these places or I would highly recommend to split it into 2 days.

Maximum of 3 pax

You can reach him here:

📱 Facebook: Do Jie

📱 Mobile: 09382252318 / 09052125024

- You can shower at Angel's BNB

- The van terminal is just beside it and the last trip is at 4AM.

- You can ask Dojie to reserve you a slot in advance.

- Fare: P350

- Duration: 4 hours

- If you get lucky, the van might pass by Lacson Street.

- If not, you can easily book a Grab from the van terminal for convenience.

They have a beautiful lobby, balconies or designated smoking areas, and their own restaurant.

The room has the following:

- Aircon

- TV

- Wifi

- Cabinet

- Complimentary coffee, water, and heater

- Side stand for charging and bed table

- Spacious toilet and shower with heater

They also have a beautiful cafe and restaurant

- They offer a room for solo travelers.

- I booked mine for only P850 per night here:

Sate Babe is my favorite here for only P199.

- They also have cakes but reserve this for Calea on day 3.

- You won't be able to sleep early if you eat sweets for the Lakawon Island tour

- Go to 6th Street in Lacson.

- This is just a few blocks from Urban View and in-front of the lagoon

- Mcdo, Dunkin, and Chowking are open 24 hours

Sample order: Longganisa with black coffee (P119)

From Mcdo Lacson or Urban View, ride Bata or Mandalagan jeep to Ceres North Terminal for P12.

- At the terminal, ask for Lakawon

- The jump-off will be at Burgos Market in Cadiz

- Fare: P145

- Duration: 50 minutes (05:25AM to 06:15AM)

- Tip: Sit on the right side if facing the front to enjoy the sunrise

- You'll also pass by one of the biggest solar farms here in the Philippines

The fare is P150 from Burgos Public Market. Good for 3 to 4 people.

It will take about 10 minutes to reach the port

Entrance fee for adults:

P650 - Regular

P600 - Prebooked

Entrance fee for kids:

P620 - Regular

P580 - Prebooked

You can prebook on their website for a P50 discount at lakawon.ph.

Inclusions:

- Entrance fee

- Terminal fee

- Roundtrip boat transfers

- Access to Floating Bar

- 1 day use of cottage

Port to Lakawon:

- Opens at 7AM

- Needs to reach 10 passengers per batch

- If it takes a while to fill the batch, especially on weekdays, you can avail a special trip for an additional P1,000 which you can split with your group or strangers in the port.

Lakawon back to Port:

- Schedules: 8AM, 10AM, 12:30PM, 2PM, and 4PM

- No need to fill the batch

You can eat breakfast, buy souvenirs, or play with the island dogs while waiting.

If it's low tide, you'll be dropped off on the docking platform. If high tide, the boat will dock directly on the beach.

Claim your free cottage upon arrival and start exploring the island.

This is both the arrival and departure area when you go back to the main land.

🌊 Beach

Relax on the pristine sands and crystal-clear waters of Lakawon.

🚢 Tawhai Floating Bar

The resort is building an even bigger version of its floating bar! During my first visit a few years ago, it was just the square version, as shown in the left photo above.

Visit on weekends if you're looking for a livelier crowd and maybe a DJ-led party 🍻

🤫 Non-Touristy Area

- Upon arrival, enter the cottages and find the walkway towards right side if facing the beach

- The left side is private area.

🥄 Restaurant and Bar

They also have an in-land bar and restaurant

I just ordered a burger (P199), one of their best sellers, and mango shake (P125).

- Most of their food in the menu are the usual Pinoy food and good for 2 to 3 people. Not solo-friendly.

- Since Lakawon is near Manapla, there will be puto and baye-baye at the bus terminal.

🚿 Freshen Up

They have plenty of shower rooms with wall hooks for your belongings so you can freshen up after your day tour.

- Schedules: 8AM, 10AM, 12:30PM, 2PM, and 4PM

- You may reserve a slot at the reception desk

- They have a beautiful waiting area with comfortable bean bags for you to relax on while waiting for your boat transfer.

- From the port, ride tricycle to Burgos Market (P150).

- Ride the bus to Bacolod (P145)

- The City of Whales and my hometown! 😍

- A peaceful town with a beautiful sunset and fresh air.

- I’m happy to see the new Family Boulevard that helps starting entrepreneurs showcase their food and beverage businesses.

How to get here?

- From Burgos Market, ride the bus to Cadiz City

- From Ceres Bus Terminal in Cadiz, ride the tricycle to Family Boulevard

How to go home?

- From Family Boulevard, ride the tricycle to Ceres Terminal

- Ride the bus to Bacolod

- Ride the modern jeep to Sorrento or Bong Bong's Lacson (P15)

- Leave your things and hang your wet clothes at UrbanView

Sample order: chicken inasal (P115) and garlic rice (P35)

- My favorite foodtrip in Bacolod

- This place can get crowded quickly even on weekdays

Mud Pie is one of their bestsellers for only P130

- This is just in front of Mcdo Lacson so you can walk from Urban View

- Take photos of the Negros Occidental sign with the capitol as the background

- From the capitol, ride the jeep to the public plaza

- Fare: regular (P11) or aircon (P15)

- You can also walk for about 7 minutes

- This is located in front of San Sebastian Cathedral

- The bandstand centerpiece is what's popular here

- During Masskara Festival, the plaza is the final destination of the street dancing competition.

This area was featured by Erwan Heusaff (husband of Anne Curtis) on one of his foodtrips in Bacolod.

This place brings back so many memories. When I was in grade school, I ran a small arbitrage business.

My grandmother and I often go here from Cadiz City and I'd seize the opportunity to buy playing cards for just P5 to P10 per box. I'd then sell them for P20 to P50 — turning a quick 4x to 10x profit.

This is just beside the plaza. You can also find SM near here.

Keidra's Cafe

- Suman latik (3 for P20)

- Puto taktak (P15)

- Kalamay hati (P10)

- Baye-baye (P10)

- Coffee (P22)

Mary's Refreshments

- Halo-Halo Special (P70)

- Batchoy (P90)

Aside from foodtrip, you can also buy home decors here.

- From the Central Market, you can do a 10-minute walk going here or ride the jeepney for P12

- The museum was built to showcase the vibrant history and preserve the cultural identity of Negros

- Did you know that Jose Mari Chan is a fellow Bacolodnon?

- He is also the current Chairman of The Negros Cultural Foundation (www.ncfiph.org), the non-profit organization that opened Negros Museum.

- One of his old pianos is displayed on the second floor of the museum

Entrance:

- P100 - adult

- P80 - student

- I highly recommend to request for a tour guide to learn the story behind each spot. You only have to give a tip.

The stairs to the second floor are my favorite part.

- Huge art collections from local artists

- There are tea cups with their pictures at the bottom

- Old Kodak Film

The first picture above is one of the earliest photoshoots, where people needed to stay still for six hours to capture a single photo.

The photo in the middle is a butaka. The chair used to deliver babies.

And many other fascinating exhibits. It's better to explore and learn by visiting this beautiful museum, rich in the history of Negros.

- Book a Grab from Negros Museum for P85

- Pia Wurtzbach ate here during her visit in Bacolod and Erwan Heussaff recommended this place on his vlog

Sample orders: Cansi (P500), fried cansi (P580), rice (P30), and calamansi (P45)

- Visit this beautiful Japanese-inspired coffee near NGC

- It will take you 2 jeepney rides and wait for the right jeepney from Sharyn's

- Instead, you can conveniently book a Grab to get here for P120

The cafe offers free board games you can borrow while you enjoy your coffee with family or friends

My cousins and I ordered their bestsellers:

☕ P150 - Campfire Latte

🧋 P140 - Iced Latte

This is just one street away from Origami

- Another institution in Bacolod for chicken inasal

- Sample order: chicken with rice (P185) and lemonade (P60)

- You can book a grab going here from the government center for P150

Jeepney is also available but it will take 2 rides:

- Jeep from the government center to down town

- Another jeep from down town to Chicken Deli

This is just walking distance of Chicken Deli and Urban View. This is also located in front of Calea.

- They also sell cakes but try their ensaymada and macarons for a change

- Sample order: Ensaymada (160), Butter Sansrival (175), Pecan Caramel Cheesecake (P175), and Macarons (P75)

- My favorite pasalubong is Napoleones

- P300 for 12 pieces

- Silvanas (P285)

- Ube or Original Piaya (P55 to P65)

- Kwakoy (P46)

- Mango, Pineapple, and Caramel Tarts (P75)

- Dried Mango (P120)

- Bañadas (P50)

- Biscocho (P45)

- Polvoron (P45)

There are also Masskara home decors and ref magnets

Locations:

📍 Just outside of UrbanView (Bong Bong's and Merzci)

📍 Beside and inside the Plaza (Bong Bong's, Merzci, and Masskara ref magnets)

- The Mang Inasal of Bacolod.

- An unli rice restaurant but instead of the usual chicken inasal, their specialty is grilled pork ribs.

- They started as a stall in food courts and kiosks in 2012

- They now have a beautiful spot in Lacson Street.

- They are also expanding outside of Bacolod and Negros.

- According to their page, they are now available in Cebu, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, General Santos, Ormoc, etc.

- This is located just a few steps of Urban View

- Sample order: spare ribs (P145)

- If you're traveling with a group, better try Diotay's Seafood Restaurant

- You can choose your seafood and have them cook the way you want.

- You may also try Gina's Seafood Restaurant

- Diotay is nearer from Urban View than Gina

Grab costs P395 and can be divided into 4

- There are also van transfers at Silay Airport Shuttle Terminal Pala Pala beside Ayala Malls Capitol

- If you're backpacking, this is just a 10-minute walk from Urban View

- Contact number: 0933-850-9675

- Schedules: 4AM, 8AM, 12PM, 3PM, 4PM, 5PM, 6PM

There are also pasalubong centers here.

Welcome back to Manila!